Safety buckle

ABSTRACT

A safety buckle comprises a substantially flat elongated body having a first distal end opposite a first distal end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The first and second distal ends are angled towards the bottom surface to form an approximately obtuse angle with the bottom surface. A substantially elongated cut-out is centrally disposed within the elongated body. The cut-out defines a pair of substantially parallel rails that axially extend between the first and send distal ends. A locking member is disposed within the cut-out. The locking member is slidably coupled to the rails, and slidable between a first position and a second position. When used with a safety strap, the locking member is moved from an “unlocked position” to a “locked” position when tension is applied to the strap. In the locked position, the locking member engages a bottom or clamping surface of the second distal end of the buckle body to apply pressure to the strap and secure it in place.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to safety buckle and, more specifically, to a safety buckle comprising a claming surface to secure a safety strap of a safety belt within the buckle.

BACKGROUND

Buckles for safety belts are generally used to secure various items on their person. Safety belt and buckle combinations are commonly used with backpacks, safety harnesses, hip pockets and gurney straps. Typically, a buckle holds the belt or strap in place and is designated to create resistance so that the belt or strap does not come loose. As shown in FIG. 1, prior art belt or strap buckles 10 are mostly flat in their designs. Such buckles comprise a thin body 12 and a slidable locking mechanism 14 that that secures the belt strap 16 within the belt buckle along a single point P.

Because of these buckles flat designs, when a wearer's arms and hands brush against the edges of the buckle, the buckles can lift on their ends. Further, since traditional belt or strap buckles have a single locking point P, when the arms or hands of the wearer brush against the belt or strap buckle, this movement can cause the locking point of the strap 12 to become loose and the strap can unbuckle due to a single locking point.

As a result, the whole belt and buckle set up can come undone and in turn the belt or strap can easily come off the wearer's body. Traditionally, to prevent this loosening of the belt, people have fed the belt strap twice for a more secure tie-in. However, even this double feed method is susceptible to the belt or strap coming loose on occasion, when the wearer's hands or arms brush against the ends of the buckle.

Thus, there is a practical need for a more secure buckle which will not loosen the belt or strap even when tension is not applied to the strap, or the wearer lifts either end of the buckle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a safety buckle having a clamping surface to secure a safety belt strap within the safety buckle. The safety buckle comprises a substantially flat elongated body having a first distal end opposite a first distal end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The first and second distal ends are angled towards the bottom surface to form an approximately obtuse angle with the bottom surface. A substantially elongated cut-out is centrally disposed within the elongated body. The cut-out defines a pair of substantially parallel rails that axially extend between the first and send distal ends. A locking member is disposed within the cut-out. The locking member is slidably coupled to the rails, and slidable between a first position and a second position.

When used with a safety strap, a first end of the strap is secured to the first distal end of the buckle. A second end of the strap is received by the cut-out from the bottom to exit from the top of the buckle body. The strap is then wrapped once around the locking member, wherein the cut-out receives the second end of the strap from the top to exit the bottom of the buckle body. The second end of the strap then passes between the locking member and the second distal end of the buckle body.

Once the strap is looped into place, the locking member is moved from an “unlocked position” to a “locked” position when tension is applied to the strap. In the locked position, the locking member engages a bottom or clamping surface of the second distal end of the buckle body to apply pressure to the strap and secure it in place.

Similarly, to loosen the strap the locking member may be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position when tension is relieved from the strap. In the unlocked position, the locking member is moved away from the clamping surface and the pressure securing the strap is relieved.

Safety buckles of the prior art secure the strap within the buckle at a point along a bottom corner of the buckle body. However, the clamping surface of the present invention provides a locking surface in which to secure the strap within the buckle. The angled configuration of the second distal end produces added pressure on the strap and promotes frictional forces that prevent the strap from loosening or “slipping out” from the buckle even when friction is not applied to the strap. Further, the angled configuration of the first and second distal ends reduce the likelihood of the distal ends being lifted inadvertently, for example, by rubbing against the user's arm, hand, or an object, and loosening the strap.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a safety buckle of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a safety belt comprising a safety buckle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is top view of a buckle body in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the buckle body of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a locking member in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the safety belt of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment locking member in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a safety buckle having a clamping surface to secure a safety belt strap within the safety buckle. The safety belt includes a locking member that engages the clamping surface to secure the belt strap within the belt buckle when tension is applied to the belt strap. The angled configuration of the clamping surface prevents the belt strap form coming a loose when the belt buckle is brushed against its ends by the wearer's arms, hands or any other object. FIG. 2 shows a safety belt 20 comprising a flat woven belt strap 22 and a safety buckle 30 in accordance with the present invention. The safety buckle comprises a buckle body 32 and a locking member 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the buckle body 32 is a flat elongated body comprising a front surface 31, a back surface 33, a first distal end 34, and a second distal end 36. The buckle body may be manufactured from steel, aluminum, hardened plastic or any other durable material suitable for the purposes of this invention. The first and second distal ends 34 and 36 are bent towards the back surface to form an obtuse angle with the bottom surface of the body. For example, in one embodiment, the distal ends form an angle of approximately 125° with the back surface.

The buckle body 32 further comprises a cut-out 36 that is centrally disposed within the buckle body. The cut-out may be formed by punching, etching, molding, machining, or any other suitable method. The cut-out is substantially rectangular in shape and defines a pair of rails 37 that axially extend between the first distal end 34 and the second distal end 36.

As shown in FIG. 5, the locking member 40 comprises a substantially U-shaped member body 42 having a first leg 44 and a second leg 46. The member body may be manufactured to any suitable thickness from steel, aluminum, hardened plastic or any other durable material suitable for the purposes of this invention. The member body is manufactured to a length corresponding to the lengthwise dimensions of the cut-out 38.

A pair is slots 48 are disposed at opposite axial ends of the member body in a central portion of the body. The slots may be formed by punching, etching, molding, machining, or any other suitable method. The dimensions of the slots correspond with the dimensions of the rails 37. The slots are manufactured with suitable tolerances to enable the rails to slidably engage the slots, such that the locking member is slidable along cut-out 38. Thus, the slidable distance that the locking member travels is defined by the length of the cut-out.

FIG. 6 illustrates the working mechanisms of a safety belt comprising a safety buckle of the present invention. As shown, a first end 24 of the strap 22 is secured to the first distal end 36 of the buckle body 32. The second end 26 of the strap is received by the cut-out 38 from the bottom to exit from the top of the buckle body 32. The strap is then wrapped once around the first leg 44 of the locking member 44, wherein the cut-out receives the second end of the strap from the top to exit the bottom of the buckle body. The second end of the strap then passes between the second leg 46 of the locking member and the second distal end 36 of the buckle body.

Once the strap is looped into place, and adjusted to its desired diametrical dimension around the user's waist, the locking member 40 is moved from an “unlocked position”, designated as point A, to a “locked” position, designated as point B, when tension is applied to the strap. In the locked position, the second leg 46 of the locking member engages a bottom or clamping surface 39 of the second distal end 36 of the buckle body to apply pressure to the strap 22 and secure it in place.

Similarly, to loosen the strap 22 the locking member 40 may be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position when tension is relieved from the strap. In the unlocked position, the second leg 46 is moved away from the clamping surface 39 and the pressure securing the strap is relieved.

Safety buckles of the prior art secure the strap within the buckle at a point along a bottom corner of the buckle body. However, the clamping surface 39 of the present invention provides a locking surface in which to secure the strap within the buckle. The angled configuration of the second distal end 36 produces added pressure on the strap and promotes frictional forces that prevent the strap from loosening or “slipping out” from the buckle even when tension is not applied to the strap. Further, the angled configuration of the first and second distal ends reduce the likelihood of the distal ends being lifted inadvertently, for example, by rubbing against an object, and loosening the strap.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the locking member 140 may comprise a substantially V-shaped member body 142. In this embodiment, the angular dimensions of the second leg 146 of the member body correspond to the angled dimensions of the second distal end of the buckle body.

The preceding description has been presented with reference to presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Workers skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structure may be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principal, spirit and scope of the invention.

Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be read as pertaining only to the precise structures described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but rather should be read consistent with and as support to the following claims, which are to have their fullest and fair scope. 

1. A safety buckle comprising: a substantially flat elongated buckle body having a first distal end opposite a first distal end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the first and second distal ends are angled towards the bottom surface to form an approximately obtuse angle with the bottom surface; a substantially elongated cut-out centrally disposed within the buckle body, wherein the cut-out define a pair of substantially parallel rails that axially extend between the first and send distal ends; and a locking member disposed within the cut-out, wherein the locking member is slidably coupled to the rails, the locking member being slidable between a first position spaced apart from the second distal end, and a second position proximate the second distal end.
 2. The safety buckle of claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises a member body having a first leg, a second leg, and a pair of slots disposed at opposite ends of the member body, the slots being engaged by the rails such that the locking member is slidable along the rails.
 3. The safety buckle of claim 2, wherein the member body comprised a substantially U-shaped cross-section.
 4. The safety buckle of claim 2, wherein the member body comprised a substantially V-shaped cross-section, and wherein the angular dimensions of the second leg correspond with the angular dimensions of the second distal end.
 5. The safety buckle of claim 2, wherein the safety buckle may be used in combination with a belt strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to the first distal end of the buckle body, the second end being received by the cut-out and wrapped around the locking member such that it passes between the second leg of the locking member and the second distal end of the buckle body.
 6. The safety buckle of claim 5, wherein the locking member is moved from the first position to the second position when tension is applied to the belt strap, and wherein the second leg engages a bottom surface of the second distal end to apply pressure to the belt strap and secure it within the safety buckle.
 7. The safety buckle of claim 5, wherein the angled configuration of the second distal end applies pressure on the belt strap and promotes frictional forces that prevent the belt strap from loosening or “slipping out” from the safety buckle when tension is not applied to the strap.
 8. A safety belt comprising: a buckle comprising: a substantially flat elongated body having a first distal end opposite a first distal end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the first and second distal ends are angled towards the bottom surface to form an approximately obtuse angle with the bottom surface; a substantially elongated cut-out centrally disposed within the elongated body, wherein the cut-out define a pair of substantially parallel rails that axially extend between the first and send distal ends; and a locking member disposed within the cut-out, wherein the locking member is slidably coupled to the rails, the locking member being slidable between a first position spaced apart from the second distal end, and a second position proximate the second distal end; and a belt strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the strap is secured to the first distal end of the body, and the second end of the belt strap is received by the cut-out and engaged by the locking member to adjustably fasten the belt.
 9. The safety belt of claim 8, wherein the locking member comprises a member body having a first leg, a second leg, and a pair of slots disposed at opposite ends of the member body, the slots being engaged by the rails such that the locking member is slidable along the rails.
 10. The safety belt of claim 9, wherein the member body comprised a substantially U-shaped cross-section.
 11. The safety belt of claim 9, wherein the member body comprised a substantially V-shaped cross-section, and wherein the angular dimensions of the second leg correspond with the angular dimensions of the second distal end.
 12. The safety belt of claim 9, wherein the second end of the belt strap is wrapped around the locking member such that it passes between the second leg of the locking member and the second distal end of the buckle body.
 13. The safety belt of claim 12, wherein the locking member is moved from the first position to the second position when tension is applied to the belt strap, and wherein the second leg engages a bottom surface of the second distal end to apply pressure to the belt strap and secure it within the safety buckle.
 14. The safety belt of claim 12, wherein the angled configuration of the second distal end applies pressure on the belt strap and promotes frictional forces that prevent the belt strap from loosening or “slipping out” from the safety buckle when tension is not applied to the strap. 